Vacuum pump and shock absorber for artificial limb

In a hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees who have a residual limb, the artificial limb having a socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb with a cavity therebetween, a foot, and a pylon between the foot and the socket a weight-activated vacuum pump and shock absorber apparatus attached to the pylon, said vacuum pump and shock absorber apparatus comprising:

• (a) a vacuum pump activated by the wearer's body weight and adapted to remove air from the cavity;
• and
• (b) a shock absorber cooperating with the vacuum pump to cushion the residual limb against the wearer's body weight during ambulation;
• wherein said vacuum pump further comprises:
• (i) a housing attached to the socket;
• (ii) a cylinder having a first chamber therein, said cylinder attached to the pylon;
• (iii) a piston reciprocating within said cylinder;
• (iv) said housing having a second chamber therein and said cylinder reciprocating within said second chamber;
• (v) first valve means connecting said first chamber to the cavity and to the atmosphere;
• and
• (vi) second valve means connecting said second chamber to the cavity and to the atmosphere.

In a hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees who have a residual limb, the artificial limb having a socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb with a cavity therebetween, a foot, and a pylon between the foot and the socket a weight-activated vacuum pump and shock absorber apparatus attached to the pylon, said vacuum pump and shock absorber apparatus comprising:

• (a) a vacuum pump activated by the wearers body weight and adapted to remove air from the cavity;
• and
• (b) a shock absorber cooperating with the vacuum pump to cushion the residual limb against the wearer's body weight during ambulation;
• wherein said vacuum pump further comprises:
• (i) a cylinder having a hollow core therein, said cylinder attached to the pylon;
• (ii) a piston reciprocating within said cylinder, said piston having a seal and forming first and second chambers between said piston and said chamber cylinder, said first being separated from said second chamber by said seal;
• (iii) said piston extending outside said cylinder and being attached to the socket;
• (iv) an intake/exhaust port connected to said second chamber;
• and
• (v) first and second one-way valves connecting the intake/exhaust port to the cavity and to atmosphere, respectively.